John Otis
Stories
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Latin America
Colombia's FARC Rebels Laid Down Their Weapons, But A Growing Number Are Being Killed
FARC guerrillas agreed to disarm in a 2016 peace deal, and Colombia's government promised to protect them. But in the years since, nearly 200 former FARC rebels have been attacked and killed.
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Latin America
Colombia's Former Prison Island Gorgona Is Open For Tourists — And Snakes
Nature has taken over this onetime penal colony turned national park, surrounded by waters popular with divers for their sharks, rays and whales. A resort manager calls it a "mini-Galápagos."
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Latin America
Colombian Former Penal Colony Now Taking Tourists
The guerrilla war is over in Colombia and that's opening up some formerly off-limits places for tourism, including an island that formerly housed a penal colony.
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Latin America
3 Killed In Bombing At Colombia Police Station
Unrest continues in Colombia as thousands protest the government. A bomb exploded Friday night at a police station, killing three.
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Environment
Bolivia Is Fighting Major Forest Fires Nearly As Large As In Brazil
Firefighters, troops and volunteers have been working for the past two months to put out some of the worst blazes in the country's recent history.
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Business
Colombia Is Turning Into A Major Medical Marijuana Producer
The country wants to shake its image as an illicit narco nation. Now it's already home to more than two dozen legit cannabis companies, with exports to Canada and the U.K.
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Latin America
Colombia's FARC Rebel Group Announces Plans To Re-Arm 3 Years After Peace Deal
A faction of Colombia's FARC rebel group announced they plan to re-arm, three years after signing a peace agreement with the government. They accuse of the government of failing to follow through.
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Business
Economic Crisis Rattles Venezuelan Cattle Ranchers
Power outages, increased crime and gasoline shortages are hurting Venezuela's once-vaunted cattle industry. Herds have been halved and meat production is down by more than 60 percent.
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Latin America
In One Venezuelan City, People Have Found Low-Cost Entertainment — In A Barbershop
When the going gets tough and entertainment becomes too pricey to afford, Venezuelans go to the barbershop. They are entertained by a singing barber and musicians who gather to create great sound.
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Food
Many Venezuelans Can No Longer Afford Beer, So They're Drinking Cheap Agave Liquor
Cocuy was once stigmatized as moonshine, but with hyperinflation putting other drinks out of reach, many Venezuelans have turned to this cheap form of alcohol. It tastes similar to tequila and mezcal.